Australia

Wind project dependent on larger development in Victoria

Pacific Hydro's planned 75 MW wind development at Buangor, inland Western Victoria, will be constructed only when a turbine manufacturing industry is established in Australia. The maximum 50 turbine Buangor project is midway through planning approval, with the local Ararat council expected to make a decision in October. Pacific Hydro has made clear the project alone is not of sufficient size to warrant local manufacture and that its ultimate development depends on the approval of the company's Portland Wind Energy Project, also in Victoria. This 150-200 MW project is for around 120 turbines at four coastal sites in the southwest and is large enough to stimulate a local turbine manufacturing industry. AN Bonus, NEG Micon, Enron/Siemens consortium, and Vestas have been invited to tender for the exclusive wind turbine supply agreement for the two projects. The tendering process closes this month with a decision on the supplier expected before the year end. Pacific Hydro's Grant Flynn says the major environmental assessment for the Portland project is near completion and will be lodged with the planning application by October. Victoria's first major wind plant, the 18 MW Codrington facility of 14 Bonus 1.3 MW turbines, went on-line in July. The ouptut is being sold to retailer Powercor Australia for its green power supply program

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